CJ seeks K-P reply over basic amenities at Karak temple

Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani had submitted an application to the SC's human rights cell

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government regarding its commitment to provide gas, electricity and water supply, etc., for the inhabitants of the Teri Town in Karak district -- the home to famous Hindu temple, Shri Paramhans Ji Mandir.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed issued the order on an application of Pakistan Hindu Council Patron-in-chief Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, which was submitted to the apex court’s Human Rights Cell. “Comments be called from the chief secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with reference to the commitment made during the meeting dated January 1, 2021,” the chief justice said.

In his application, Dr Vankwani had highlighted severe problems facing the temple, which did not have gas, electricity and water supply facilities, despite firm assurances from K-P chief minister, during a meeting with the one-man commission on January 1, 2021, in aftermath of the horrifying attack on the temple on December 30, 2020.

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He also highlighted the problems facing inhabitants of Teri. “Despite having Gas wells all around, resulting in revenue generation of billions of rupees for the national exchequer, they are allowed very very low pressure of gas, not sufficient for domestic cooking even,” Dr Vankwani said.

“Apart from gas, there is heavy load-shedding of electricity too. Water supply tube wells are also supported by solar panels – maintained with the contribution by these poor persons – which understandably stop working during the cloudy season, leaving no alternative except to get supply through water tankers, mounted over tractor trolleys or donkey carts.”

Dr Vankwani said that during his visit to Teri Mandir on January 1, with 170 foreign pilgrims, to start the new year in mandir/Samaadhi of their great spiritual master, he visited the Teri hospital at the request of locals on the next day.

He added that he was shocked to see the piteous condition of the hospital, which was situated in a large town of more than 100,000 population. “There was no lady doctor, no nurses even. No water in bathrooms etc etc,” he said.

“The only ambulance, donated by Shri Paramhans Ji Mandir, was parked there, but without driver,” he said, adding that it not suitable for hilly terrain. There were complaints that the menial staff employed there, work in the houses of influential ones, Dr Vankwani further said in the application.

Dr Vankwani requested the Supreme Court to issue very urgent orders to the K-P government to implement all commitments made by the provincial chief minister during his meeting with the one-man Commission on January 1, 2021.